British bronze for Beckford and Turnbull

REISS BECKFORD and Douglas Turnbull produced excellent displays to win bronze medals at the 2017 British Championships.

Jamaican international Beckford scored 13.375 to finish third in a Masters rings competition won by Courtney Tulloch.

Beckford also came seventh on the vault and was 16th in the all-around men’s senior competition.

Under-16 star Turnbull (pictured above with his coach Matt Jackson) claimed his medal on the high bar as he finished in a very respectable sixth in the all-around standings at the event at Liverpool’s Echo Arena between March 24-26.

South Essex team-mate Jay Thompson was ninth in the all-around and the returning Anthony Wise sixth on pommel. Wise has since confirmed his retirement from competitive gymnastics.

Brinn Bevan only competed on floor and pommel as he eases his way back from a shoulder injury and new SEGC club-mate Amy Tinkler was fourth in the women’s uneven bars Masters event as she continues her recovery from a calf problem.

Reiss Beckford and Amy Tinkler at the 2017 British Championships

SEGC assistant director of coaching Jackson said: “Doug had chipped a bone in his foot and practicing his landings in training was a problem so, considering that, this was a very good job.

“And he only had one fall on his dismount from the parallel bars over the six pieces, which is a solid showing. He will now be focusing on his preparation for the English Championships.

“Reiss was up against a good field in the rings, which included Courtney Tulloch, but did very well and deserved his bronze medal.

“Brinn and Amy were easing their way back from injuries and taking care as they have the World Cup coming up at the O2.

“And Jay had a big new element on the high bar which he did – which was another plus.”

South Essex’s Abbie Lineham, 17, was also in action in the disability section of the British Championships and qualified from the bars, beam and vault competition before eventually finishing fourth on bars.

Coach Cara Noble said: “We are now looking forward to working on new routines with Abbie and upping her start scores for the next competition.”